Redknapp says England talk not behind Spurs slump

23 March 2012 03:46

Harry Redknapp is adamant Tottenham's recent slump is nothing to do with talk linking him with the England job because his players don't care if he stays or not.

Redknapp's side crashed out of the Premier League's top three for the first time since November when they drew 1-1 with Stoke on Wednesday, while Arsenal won 1-0 at Everton.

Tottenham have failed to win their four league games since Redknapp was first installed as the favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England coach.

After leading Arsenal by 12 points in February, Spurs are now one point behind their north London rivals and will be only two points ahead of fifth placed Chelsea if they lose at Stamford Bridge on Saturday.

Yet Redknapp remains convinced the speculation about his future has not been a distraction to the squad.

"Absolute nonsense. That is the biggest load of nonsense I have ever heard in my life," he said.

"They (the players) don't care whether I'm the manager next year. They wouldn't lose any sleep over that. That's football.

"Footballers play the game, they come in every day and train. Someone else walks in here tomorrow - the king is dead long live the king!

"They don't worry. They don't think 'Harry is going to England' or 'he is going to go somewhere else'.

"I have been around football all my life and it doesn't happen."

Redknapp led Tottenham on an 11-match unbeaten run that looked set to catapult them into the title race just two months ago, but the only team they have beaten in their last six games is League One Stevenage in the FA Cup.

Even so, Redknapp denies his team have lost confidence and he expects them to return to form soon.

"It (the poor run) has not affected our confidence at all, not in any way, shape or form," he said.

"The players don't sit in there and think 'We have to make the Champions League'.

"They want to play well in every game. They will come out and train this morning and be as bright as they could be.

"There are nine games to go, a lot of points to play for and there will be lots of twists and turns between now and the end of the season."